Question of the Week: Ok, What the Heck is the Right Order for X-Men Events?

The X-Men, amirite? Easy to love, darn near impossible to follow without a guide, encyclopedia, and boundless capacity for patience. Even with a modern X-Men reading order, I still had a hard time with this week’s question:

@ComicBookHerald Will you please let me know if if this a good modern X-Men reading order? pic.twitter.com/GCvmB5yD0W

— Amor (@AmorBavian) July 15, 2015

Rather than simply answer yes or no (you know, like a normal human being), this question made me realize a fast track guide for the world of mutants would be pretty darn useful. So let’s do it – let’s try and simplify the X-Men (the hubris!).

Please note that the below is for the modern X-Men, meaning 2000’s and on. For classic X-Men, you can check out our Chris Claremont X-Men reading order.

X-Men Events & Major Stories (2001 to 2015)

New X-Men – 2001 to 2004 series. Issues #114 to #154 (read Annual #1 right after issue #116)

X-Force / X-Statix – Issues X-Force #116 to #129, then X-Statix #1 to #26.

Astonishing X-Men – Issues #1 to #25 and then Annual #1

Wolverine: Enemy of the State – Wolverine Issues #20 to #32

House of M (Event!)

Decimation (Event!)

Messiah CompleX – Issues in order included in the top half of my initial review.

Divided We Stand – Uncanny X-Men #495 to #499

X-Men Legacy – X-Men Legacy #208 to #224

X-Infernus

It’s worth noting with X-Infernus that this four issue miniseries is deeply indebted to 1) some background on Illyana Rasputin and 2) recent events in New X-Men (namely the “Quest for Magik” story arc).

Messiah War – Issues in order: X-Men: The Times and Life of Lucas Bishop #1-3, X-Men Messiah War One-Shot, Cable #13, X-Force #14, Cable #14, X-Force #15, Cable #15, X-Force #16

Dark Avengers Utopia – Issues in order: Utopia #1, Uncanny X-Men #513, Dark Avengers #7, Uncanny X-Men #514, Dark Avengers #8, Dark Avengers / X-Men: Exodus #1, X-Men: Legacy #226 – #227, Dark X-Men: The Confession #1

Nation X – Uncanny X-Men #515 to #522, Dark Reign: The List – X-Men, Nation X #1 to #4

X-Necrosha

Second Coming – Issues in order: X-Men: Hope #1, X-Men Second Coming: Prepare, Second Coming #1, Uncanny X-Men #523, New Mutants #12, X-Men: Legacy #235, X-Force #26, X-Factor #204, Uncanny X-Men #524, X-Men: Hellbound #1, New Mutants #13, X-Men: Blind Science #1, X-Men: Legacy #236, X-Force #27, X-Factor #205, Uncanny X-Men #525, New Mutants #14, X-Men Legacy #237, X-Force #28, X-Factor #206, X-Men: Hellbound #2, Second Coming #2, X-Men: Hellbound #3

Curse of the Mutants – X-Men #1 to #6 (2010 to 2013 series)

Age of X – Issues Age of X Alpha, X-Men Legacy #245 to #247, New Mutants #22 to #24, Age of X Universe #1 to #2

Uncanny X-Force (Remender) – Issues #1 to #35

Schism – Issues X-Men: Schism #1 to #5 and X-Men: Regenesis #1

Wolverine & the X-Men – Issues #1 to #8 (takes you up to A v X)

Avengers vs. X-Men (Event!)

Marvel Now Launches new X-Titles

Battle of the Atom – Issues in order: X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1, All-New X-Men #16, X-Men #5, Uncanny X-Men #12, Wolverine & the X-Men #36, All-New X-Men #17, X-Men #6, Uncanny X-Men #13, Wolverine & the X-Men #37, X-Men: Battle of the Atom #2

Trial of Jean Grey – Issues in order: All-New X-Men #22, Guardians of the Galaxy #11, All-New X-Men #23, Guardians of the Galaxy #12, All-New X-Men #24, Guardians of the Galaxy #13

Death of Wolverine

Axis (Event!)

Guardians of the Galaxy & X-Men: Black Vortex – Issues in order found here.

And there you have it. Like I said. Simple! Errr… kinda? Ok, you’re right, it’s the X-Men, who am I kidding. Enjoy the comics!